Feb 7th Block 1/2 - A University Degree - Is a degree the key to success?

Block 1 - we viewed the performance The Berlin Waltz by Devon More and after discussed employment opportunities based on past and current political environments. 

Block 2 -

Materials Required: 

Access to projector and link to website linked below to view video.

* Note * Any students who have missed Journal Entries 1,2, 3, 4 - please check the last week's blog posts and catch up! All Journals to date will be due Tuesday Feb 13 2018.

There was a time when a University degree assured one a of good job, good pay and a comfortable life.  

Sadly this is just not the case any more.  

Today, the unemployment rate for young people in Canada is close to 15% – double that of the general population.  

The real crisis though is the increasing number of university and college grads who are underemployed – scraping by on low-paid, part-time jobs that don't require a degree.  

Although there are no official statistics in Canada, it's estimated that after graduating, one in three 25 to 29 year olds with a college or university degree ends up in a low-skilled job.  

And to make things worse, 60% graduate with an average debt of $27,000.  Mired in debt, and working in dead end jobs, their launch into adulthood is being curtailed.  Some are calling those of university age "the lost generation."

Youth unemployment and underemployment is a ticking time bomb with serious consequences for everyone.

GENERATION JOBLESS delves into why so many young Canadians are overeducated and underemployed.  The reality is that today's twenty-something's are entering  an economy in the throes of a seismic shift where globalization and technology are transforming the workplace. 

• Automation is replacing tens of thousands of jobs at a time.  
• Companies fixated on the bottom line are outsourcing jobs and wherever possible getting computers to do the work.  
• Employers are placing a higher premium on experienced workers, unwilling to invest in training new entrants to the workforce. 

So, young people are caught in a catch 22.  How do you get experience if no one will hire you without it?

Many are working for free as unpaid interns, just to try and get their foot in the door.  

For the first time in history youth are facing another unique challenge  – competition with their parents' generation for the small pool of jobs that do exist. Boomers who are delaying retirement. 

Watched Generation Jobless

We will answer reflection Journal Question 5 in 3 paragraphs next day Friday Feb 9th 2018. 

Paragraph 1- What were your overall thoughts on the Generation Jobless documentary? 

Paragraph 2 - Does a university degree equal success? Why or why not? 

Paragraph 3 - What are your plans for the future when it comes to post secondary education?